|RNature and climate:|N The southeastern spurs of Himalaya, the Aunamitic mountains, dominates the Laotic landscape. Several high, up to 2800 m.a.s.l. and steep mountain crests cross Laos mostly in northeastern - southwestern direction. These mountain crests are separated by the Mekong River and its tributaries. West of the mountains is a lowland around Mekong River.
More than 65% of the area is thick jungle.
The Mekong River, one of the worlds largest rivers, regularly overflows, making the surrounding area very fertile and suited for growing swamprice.
The river is also an important transportation route.
Average temperature between 20 and 27°C throughout the year.
Percipitation between 1000 and 2000 mm.
|RPeople:|N 48% Lao, mainly in the lowlands and valleys, 25% Monkmehr, mainly in the mountains, 14% Thai, 13% Meo and Yao.
Only 15% live in towns.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture occupies 85% of the population but only 4% of the country is cultivated. Most important crops are rice, maize, tobacco, coffee, vegetables, rootfruits, cotton and opium.
Fishing is important.
Timber is extracted from the vast forests. teak is exported.
Laos is rich on minerals. Today only tin is extracted, but there is also iron ore and probably oil and natural gas.
There are rich resources of hydroelectrical power. Much of the power is exported to Thailand.
|RHistory:|N During the 13th century the Lao people immigrated into the area. In the 14th century they founded a vast and advanced realm. This realm was divided in the 18th century when a part of it came under the Thai-people. 1893 the whole area became a French protectorate.
A liberation movement was founded in the 1940:s when Laos was occupied by the Japanese in World War II and 1949 the independent monarchy Laos was internationally recognized.
The communist movement Pathet Lao continued the guerilla war with help from Vietnam and from 1959 there was a state of civil war in the whole country.
1962 the three parties, the rightwing government, the Pathet Lao, and a neutral fraction agreed on a cease-fire and a coalition government was formed under international supervision. The next year this coalition cracked and the civil war continued.
During the Paris-negotiations on Vietnam in 1973 there was a new agreement of cease-fire for Laos. A new coalition government was installed. This coalition was succeeded by a Pathet Lao dominated government in 1975 and Laos was proclaimed a people's republic.
The king, Savang Vatthana, was presidential advisor, but in 1977 he was imprisoned.
In 1977 a 25 year treaty of friendship was signed with Vietnam. According to this treaty the defence of the two countries is coordinated.
